need only be

USAGE SUMMARY

"need only be" is a correct phrase that can be used in written English.
It is used to refer to something that only requires one action or limit. For example: The research paper need only be 500 words in length.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(Bartenders need only be 18 in New York State).

The New York Times - Food

They need only be as close as their television.

The New York Times

You need only be aware to stop and savor it".

The New York Times - Magazine

It need only be decided how to divide the bill.

The New York Times

Ultimately, they need only be able to participate in producing output that is sold internationally.

The Guardian - Business

The least expensive tequilas need only be distilled from 51percentt blue agave juice.

The New York Times - Food

They are pre-cooked and need only be steamed 3 to 6 minutes before serving.

The New York Times

The condemned need only be given an injection of the anticoagulant heparin beforehand, doctors say.

The New York Times

Now, she need only be given a chance to be heard performing with her new colleagues.

The New York Times

Living expenses need only be estimated, not demonstrated with receipts or bank statements.

The New York Times

Now a real actor need only be the template for the digitally animated version.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "need only be", ensure that the context clearly indicates the single condition or action that is necessary. For example, "The application need only be submitted once" clarifies that multiple submissions are unnecessary.

Common error

Avoid adding unnecessary qualifiers or clauses when using "need only be". Keep the sentence concise to maintain clarity. Instead of saying "The document, as per protocol, need only be signed by the manager in charge", state "The document need only be signed by the manager".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "need only be" functions as a modal verb phrase. It expresses a minimal requirement or a single condition that must be met. Ludwig AI examples illustrate its use in stating necessary but limited actions, such as "Drivers need only be 8" or "The claim of advantage need only be plausible."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "need only be" is a grammatically correct and frequently used modal verb phrase that signifies a single, sufficient condition or action. As Ludwig AI highlights, its versatile usage spans from news articles to scientific papers, indicating a professional yet neutral tone. When writing, remember to keep sentences concise and clearly state the necessary action. Consider related phrases such as "only has to be" or "simply must be" to vary your writing style while preserving clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

only has to be

Focuses on obligation and requirement, instead of possibility like the original.

just needs to be

Emphasizes immediacy and the single requirement nature with different wording.

simply must be

Emphasizes necessity and simplicity, increasing the strength of the condition.

merely requires being

Rephrases to highlight the aspect of needing to fulfill requirements instead of actions.

is merely necessary to be

Adds length, changing the structure to highlight the necessity.

only requires to be

Focuses only on the requirement, removing implication of permission, making it more obligatory.

is sufficient to be

Highlights the sufficiency of the condition, but changes the structure of the sentence.

it suffices to be

Changes the sentence structure to emphasize sufficiency in a formal tone.

all that's needed is to be

Reformulation to emphasize the completeness of requirement and shifts to an informal tone.

it is just required to be

Changes structure, adding emphasis on the requirement using "just".

FAQs

How can I use "need only be" in a sentence?

Use "need only be" to indicate a single requirement or action is sufficient. For example, "The tequilas "least expensive" need only be distilled from 51 percent blue agave juice".

What does "need only be" mean?

"Need only be" signifies that a single action or condition is all that is required, without the need for anything further. For instance, "Living expenses "need only be" estimated, not demonstrated with receipts".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "need only be"?

Alternatives to "need only be" include phrases like "only has to be", "simply must be", or "just needs to be", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to use "need only be" or "only has to be"?

"Need only be" tends to be slightly more formal than "only has to be". The best choice depends on the context and the intended audience.